Reading Wave Motion by Its Features

Wave motion can be described by a few key parameters. Simple mechanical waves repeat over several cycles and can be modeled with sine and cosine functions. A simplified surface water wave is a good example. The water moves up and down, while the wave disturbance travels horizontally through the medium.

Consider a ball floating on the surface of a water wave. The ball moves up and down in a simple harmonic motion.

The highest point of the wave is known as the crest, and the lowest point is known as the trough. The distance between two consecutive troughs or crests with the same height and the same slope is the wavelength of a wave.